Work permits for foreign workers hits record high in Poland

24th May 2019

epaselect epa05946605 People take part in the 'Schuman Parade' to commemorate Luxembourg-born French statesman Robert Schuman's proposals for an organised Europe, in Warsaw, Poland, 06 May 2017. The march is an expression of support for European integration and the Polish membership in the European Union (EU). Robert Schuman (1886 - 1963) was an iconic politician who helped to build up a post-war Europe and institutions such as the European Council, the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). EPA/TOMASZ GZELL POLAND OUT

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According to the Polish Central Statistical Office (GUS), the country is experiencing a surge in the registration of foreign workers in the country.

Last year, Poland issued over 300,000 work permits to foreign citizens, even more than in previous years.

Due to the shortage of qualified workers, companies are hiring workers from abroad. In 2018, Poland issued 328,768 work permits, 40 percent more than the previous year and almost five times more than in 2015, according to GUS.

The permits were issued to citizens of 125 countries, with over 70 percent going to Ukrainians, the largest non-EU group working in the country.

Most of the migrants were men, with over three-quarters of the permits issued to them. They worked in four main sectors: administration and support, construction, industrial processing and transport or warehouse management.